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How to get a Genie Mini? Confusing info and costs
I don't know why it is so hard to get a 2nd TV hooked up. Am I missing something?
Yesterday I decided it would be nice to have a 2nd TV so I did an online chat with Directv and told the rep I wanted to order a Mini to add to my Genie DVR. I was told that it would be $7/mo and no other charges. Since I had installed a wireless mini at my mom's house about a year ago, I said that I did not need installation.
This morning I see an email confirming an installation appointment for this afternoon. I called Directv and told them that I did not request installation. The rep cancelled the appointment, but told me there was an additional $19.95 activation fee and a 12-month commitment added to my existing contract. The person the day before did not mention that even when I asked specifically if there were any other charges. (I have the chat transcript.)
About 30 minutes later, an installation person called to confirm the installation. I told him that I had cancelled it, but he said I cannot self-install a hardwired Mini. I told him that I did not realize that it was hardwired and that I wanted a wireless one. He said that to have a wireless one, I would have to have an installer come out to add a "video bridge" to my DVR.
I called Directv back and they transferred me to a technician who confirmed that an installation call was required. Then she said that I would have to agree to 24 more months added to my contract. But she said there is no such thing as an activation fee. I cancelled the whole thing because I really have no idea what it costs and what is involved.
Does anyone know what is actually involved in adding a 2nd TV? Can't I add one TV without 2 years more on my contract??
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
Juniper
ACE - Expert
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20.5K Messages
4 years ago
Upgrades of equipment, which include adding an additional TV, will always come with a 24 month service agreement. This is because you are getting leased equipment that is either discounted from retail value or free. There is no purchase to own option, as DirecTV did away with that when the 1st Genie launched.
If you have a regular Genie (HR34, HR44, HR54), then the first wireless Client is not self-install. This is because it requires a wireless video bridge (WVB) hardwired into the coax to server as the antenna. The WVB is a setup and purchase (not leased) of $99. Later wireless Clients may be drop shipped, which is $19.95 delivery. Sometimes a tech appointment which normally is $99, might only charge the delivery which would be the $19.95 and certainly is not an activation fee.
The Genie-2 (HS17) has the WVB built-in, so in theory even the 1st wireless Client should be able to be shipped. Like the regular Genie line you can always install another traditional WVB if you need to expand coverage in the home, but that would require tech install of course. Per built-in restrictions, and some lingering bugs not completely squashed, the HS17 server tower is not recommended.
If you have the regular Genie, it is better to do a HDDVR. Gain 2 tuners and 500GB recording space. Remember a Client steals a tuner from the Genie, and if the main box goes down then all Clients go with it, but full receivers do not. Recordings still shareable of course. And there is no monthly cost difference between Client and HDDVR (or even HD non-DVR) as it is $7 for the additional TV regardless.
If you don't have a free upgrade, the one-time lease cost of an HDDVR is $199 and Client is $99. Since WVB is a purchase of $99 even with a free upgrade then HDDVR saves money, and if upgrade is not free then it is more bang for your buck as one-time costs are essentially the same (Client $99 + WVB $99 = $198).
To summarize:
Upgrade/additional TV always has 24 month agreement.
Wireless Video Bridge (WVB) is $99 owned accessory (not covered by a free upgrade).
WVB needed by Genie (HR34, HR44, HR54)
Genie-2 (HS17) has WVB built-in (but this server tower has other concerns)
If not free upgrade, one-time lease cost is $199 HDDVR or $99 Client.
Delivery is $19.95, sometimes all that is charged for a tech installed upgrade.
Additional TV is $7 monthly.
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mdram4x4
ACE - Master
•
6.5K Messages
4 years ago
adding a mini/reciever/dvr adds 2 years to the contract
mini is $99
wireless video bridge is $99
service call required
IF you have the hs17 genie, it has the wvb built in
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